Nepal to host South Asia’s first Gay National Games

In a first event of its kind in South Asia, and probably Asia, Nepal is set to organise the country’s first national games for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and third-gendered citizens.

Updated on: Mar 19, 2012, 23:27:12 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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In a first event of its kind in South Asia, and probably Asia, Nepal is set to organise the country’s first national games for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and third-gendered citizens.

The games to be held in September this year over a two-week period will witness LGBT sportspersons competing in sports ranging from volleyball, football, athletics, martial arts, tennis and more.

“There will be five teams from each region of the country. And we expect over 200 people to take part,” said Sunil Babu Pant of Blue Diamond Society, organiser of the event.

Pant who is Nepal’s first openly gay lawmaker founded BDS 11 years ago to protect the rights of LGBTs in a country where sexual minorities are often discriminated against.

“We have already booked Dasrath Rangshala, the national stadium, for the event. This will be South Asia’s and probably Asia’s first such games for the LGBT community,” said Pant.

Expressing solidarity with those participating, renowned Nepali athletes from different sports disciplines will take part in the event as coaches and referees, he informed.

“The aims for organising this event are to mainstream LGBTs into the larger society, promote healthy lifestyles and promote health mentally and spiritually,” said BDS in a statement.

Although it has not been independently verified, Nepal is estimated to have a population of 3,50,000-plus LGBTs.

Besides working for the sexual minorities, BDS is also involved in promoting Nepal as a gay-friendly tourist destination and organising beauty contests for members of the community.

In 2007, based on Pant’s petition, the Nepal Supreme Court in a landmark judgement ordered the government to frame equal laws for LGBTs. Nepal will soon become the first country in Asia to give equal rights to LGBTs, which means citizenship IDs for the transgenders and legal recognition for same-sex marriages.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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